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March 12, 2009

Emphasizing Treatment, Obama Picks Seattle Police Chief for Drug Czar
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The Obama administration has nominated Seattle Police Chief Gil
Kerlikowske to be the nation’s new drug czar. The White House announced
the pick as it also unveiled a new plan to emphasize treatment over
jailing in drug-related cases. Under the policy, the Obama
administration will order greater use of alternative drug courts that
allow offenders to seek treatment rather than serve jail time.
Kerlikowske said efforts should focus on reducing demand.

Gil Kerlikowske: “The success of our efforts to reduce the flow of drugs
is largely dependent on our ability to reduce demand for them, and that
starts with our youth. Our nation’s drug problem is one of human
suffering. And as a police officer, but also in my own family, I have
experienced the effects that drugs can have on our youth, our families
and our communities.”

Kerlikowske says his step-son has struggled with addiction. Appearing
with Kerlikowske, Vice President Joe Biden said the US will also focus
on the drug wars in Mexico.

Vice President Joe Biden: “Since the beginning of last year, there have
been nearly 7,000 drug-related murders in Mexico. If we had said that
years ago, we would have looked at each other like we were crazy. But
7,000 drug-related murders in Mexico. Violent drug trafficking
organizations are threatening both the United States and Mexican
communities.”



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